Vermont Business Magazine This week Vermonters across the state will participate in Hunger Free Vermont’s 8th Annual 3SquaresVT Challenge as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. Challenge participants have been asked to eat on the average 3SquaresVT budget for the full week, a day, or a meal - approximately $37 for the week for one person, $5.22 for a day, or $1.74 per meal. The purpose of the Challenge is not to emulate the reality of food insecurity for Vermonters - many of whom may rely on a variety of programs and resources to meet their families’ needs - but to instead draw attention to the experience of living on a strict food budget and how that may or may not change your daily life both physically and psychologically as a participant.
WHAT: Vermonters take the 3SquaresVT Challenge and eat on a SNAP budget for a week to learn about hunger in their community
WHERE: In communities and households across Vermont
WHEN: November 11th - 17th as part of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
2018 marks the 54th anniversary of 3SquaresVT (formerly food stamps and known nationally as SNAP), which has successfully decreased hunger in Vermont and across the nation, lifting millions of Americans out of poverty and creating a pathway to food security and economic self-sufficiency. Currently, an average of 74,000 Vermonters a month participate in the program, but many more are eligible for this benefit. This awareness building event shines a spotlight on how important 3SquaresVT is to Vermonters, and not just for those participating in the program to help afford healthy food. Each month, the program brings over $9 million in federal dollars into the state. 3SquaresVT provides a monthly food benefit to thousands of Vermont seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, children, working families, and struggling neighbors, reducing hunger, improving health and educational outcomes, and lowering health costs.
About Hunger Free Vermont: Hunger Free Vermont is a statewide nonprofit organization that works with state agencies and community groups to end the injustice of hunger and malnutrition for all Vermonters. Since 1993 Hunger Free Vermont’s outreach programs have substantially enhanced Vermont’s nutrition safety net and increased access to nutritious foods. www.hungerfreevt.org